Santa Monica pier, which looks nothing like this today, celebrated “Pier Day” when the US Navy’s Atlantic fleet parked itself off the Los Angeles coast on September 9, 1909. They certainly got a decent turn-out. And it would have been a big deal because the Panama Canal wouldn’t open for another 5 years, which means these ships sailed all the way down to the tip of South America and up again. Although why they’d do that, I’m really not sure. A Navy P.R. exercise, maybe?
*** UPDATE *** – It was part of the Great White Fleet, consisting of 14,000 sailors on 16 battleships and accompanying vessels sent around the world for 14 months by President Roosevelt. The fleet’s journey started on December 16, 1907, and concluded on February 22, 1909. You can read more about it here.
President Teddy Roosevelt sent the Navy’s “Great White Fleet” on a 14 month world tour to impress other nations, especially Japan, that the U.S. was a world and Pacific Ocean power.
My brother and friends would take the red car to Santa Monica pier in the 50’s. There was a club that had a slide of the side of the pier into the water. I think it was called the Manoa Club. In those days it was mostly a fishing pier.
There appear to be windows set in the base of the pier’s anchor structure. It may be that they have introduced public restrooms at this point, but there’s no way to tell as any doors would be out of view facing the walkway. It does not seem like a refreshment stand would be likely, but if it was then it would be one of the earliest of such ventures situated right at the beach. Seems a bit small for a boat rental room, but pier maintenance facility might also be a possible. The detail on the right corner is interesting too as the railroad tunnel (steam thence electric) leading to Long Wharf would be just next to whatever it was.
Well spotted, Al. I’d imagine it was for maintenance, but public restrooms would also be quite possible.
The colorized postcard version might tell the story as the vendor seems to have large pots near his stand. The ramp could have given him access to a prep/storage room.